A scary scene unfolded during the spring training game between the Reds and Royals in Arizona Wednesday night as Cincinnati reliever Aroldis Chapman, after entering the bottom of the sixth inning with his team down 5-3 and the bases loaded, took a vicious line drive off the bat of KC catcher Salvador Perez square off the head. Chapman lay on the ground for 10 minutes while being attended by trainers from both clubs and his father who had rushed out to his fallen son’s side. Finally the hard throwing hurler was immobilized before being loaded onto a medical cart and whisked away for further treatment.
The game was called at that point and rightly so, as both teams were understandably shaken by the incident. Perez was said to be so upset at what happened that he was seen weeping as he left the field.
Sal Perez appears to be weeping as he leaves the field.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) March 20, 2014
According to C. Trent Rosecrans, Reds reporter for the Cincinnati Enquirer, Chapman suffered a laceration and contusion above his left eye resulting in quite a bit of blood, but never lost consciousness.
Chapman suffers laceration, contusion above left eye. never lost consciousness #Reds
— ctrent (@ctrent) March 20, 2014
#Reds Price: 'He never lost consciousness. He was able to communicate, he was able to move his hands, his feet, his legs.' #Chapman
— ctrent (@ctrent) March 20, 2014
All the best to Aroldis Chapman on a speedy recovery.
[MLB]